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car and commercial sales and valet services!
OPEN 7 DAYS
Top car was established in 1991 with the motto "quality cars at realistic prices" and in 2011 it is still a motto which we adhere to today.
We started our business with just three cars back then and now typically have a stock of around sixty carefully selected models ranging from small city cars to top executive models and everything in between. We offer full dealer facilities incuding, taking part exchanges (cars or commercials) arranging finance and warranties and prepairing our cars and vans to the highest standards. We also take all major credit cards and we also accept good old fashioned cash !!
We sell hundreds of cars and vans each year, many of them to repeat customers, we always try to offer a friendly and polite service so our customers will return to us when they want to change there car. Just the way we would be liked to be treated ourselves.
We are open seven days and can meet customers in the evening if required.
Our sales team comprising of Paul, Robert and Andy look forward to being of service to you soon.
Give us a try for your next new wheels.
Our out of hours telephone number is 07710118927 (paul) call anytime.
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2011 Volvo S80
Volvo is synonymous with safety and if a consumer is looking for an automobile that is both safe and performs well, then a Volvo is the car for them. This philosophy is ever present in the 2011 Volvo S80. The S80 is ranked 11 out of 16 when it comes to luxury large cars based on more than seventy reviews, test drives and car specifications analysis.
Performance
The 2011 Volvo S80 Comes in two trims, the 3.2L FWD and the 3.0 Liter All Wheel Drive. These engines are automatic turbocharged inline-6. The 3.2 version delivers 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon in the highway whereas the 3.0 AWD delivers 18 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon in the Highway.
Okay, the engine is powerful and the mileage is good but most reviews call the S80 a dull drive. Reviewers are not content with the mediocre performance of the engine, transmission, chassis and suspension and they believe it is not well placed for a midsized luxury sedan, and especially not one with the Volvo name tagged onto its hood. Steering and braking lacks the edge and thrill that most of its competitors offer and certainly not one for a car priced well above $35,000.00.
Exterior
The S80 scored higher in this category. The newly incorporated deep curves and rounded shoulders together with the nostalgic squared off egg crate grill gave the Volvo a very masculine look. However, some deponents contend that the 2011 version looks too much like the older version but more expensive.
Interior
Here is where reviewers believe Volvo got it mostly right. Reviews are divided when it comes to cabin material. Deponents complain that some cabin material seems cheap and/or lackluster which is out of place in a luxury model and brand like Volvo. Proponents believe that the materials are luxurious enough and are soft to the touch as well as pleasing to the eyes, it is just that that the interior is designed to be minimal instead of boisterous like some competitors. However a lot of praise is given to the comfortable and supportive orthopedic seats that are a welcome addition especially on long and bumpy drives. Leg room is superior in both front and back seats. Cargo is where the S80 got it wrong again, the small opening and still smaller space surprised reviewers in a bad way.
Safety
When it comes to safety the Volvo S80 gets everything right. The Insurance Institute for highway Safety scores the S80 with its highest rating for “Good” in front, side, rear, and roof strength. This just goes to show that the superior Volvo safety package is still unrivaled by its competitors. Volvo does not only rely on reputation but backs it up by installing a personal car communicator to allow the driver to know the condition thru its car key. Standard safety features include; whiplash protection, full length head curtain airbags, active head restraints. Additional safety includes a crash prevention system such as cruise control, distance and driver alert, collision warning with auto brake, lane departure warning.
Reliability
In terms of reliability based on a three year reliability trend, meets all the criteria. A standard four year or 60,000 miles warranty and lifetime roadside assistance is also standard to the S80.
Competition
If the consumer is looking for a luxury sedan built like a tank and is less expensive than a BMW, Audi, or a Mercedes Benz then the S80 is the automobile for them. However if the consumer is looking for a curvier and sportier large luxury car then the consumer may want to look at the Infiniti M which is also a “top Safety Pick” now if a consumer would like to save more, then a Buick LaCrosse (MSRP $27,130; 19 city / 30 hwy) may be the better option.
Overall Rating
76 out of 100
What others say:
"The 2011 Volvo S80 is safe and secure, fashion-forward, and just right for affluent families."Car Connection
"The 3.2's smooth 6-cylinder provides adequate power but lacks punch compared to V6-powered class rivals and even cars costing thousands less."Consumer Guide
"The 2011 Volvo S80 is a sensible alternative to flashier luxury sedans, but its anonymous looks and forgettable driving experience dull the car's desirability."Edmunds
"If cutting edge design, a high-output V8 engine and complex electronic systems make up your idea of what a luxury performance sedan should be, the 2011 Volvo S80 isn't going to win you over."KBB
General InfoFuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons (70 liters)Miles Per Gallon: 19 city / 27 hwyDimensionsWheel Base: 111.6 in. (283 cm)Curb Weight: 3761 lbs (1706 kg)Curb to Curb Turning Radius: 36.7 ft.PerformanceEngine: 24-valve DOHC inline-6Transmission: 6-Speed Geartronic AutomaticMax Towing Capacity: 3300 lbs (1496.8 kgs)Available Trims & EngineMSRP: $40,900; MPG: 18 city / 26 hwy
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Additional services offered by BMW India
BMW India in a bid to have a close bond with their existing customers are offering a special Advanced Secure Services Program. It is applicable for 2 years from the date of purchase. This new facility would cover many free services including the likes of a service backup, taxi arrangement for vehicle immobilization, discharged battery services, towing services, additional fuel supply and also flat tyre services.
In addition to all this, BMW is also offering accommodation services, 24×7 medical services, pickup and delivery of additional spare key and the best part is that for new or existing BMW owners, this service would be available in all parts of India and at any time. However, after the first two years of this service are completed, owners would have to renew these services at an additional cost, that is if they want to continue with this service.
A dedicated call center for the same has been setup by BMW and it is a centralized one and the number for the same is 1800-103-2211. This small step by the company would definitely go a long way in establishing a good customer bond and build the trust that the company needs to demolish its competition with.
Hindustan Motors’ New CRDI Diesel Engine For Future Products Under Development
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Hindustan Motors has always been known for the iconic Hindustan Motors Ambassador which was status symbol in those times but now with the passage of a few decades the charm is getting dull, not because of the design but of the older engine which neither is efficient nor complies with Bharat Stage 4 norms.
Initially they adopted a 1498 CC, four cylinder, indirect injection diesel engine which was recently replaced by a 2000 CC four cylinder IDI diesel unit but unfortunately, considering the present rules & regulations, both do not pass the test.
Resorting to a better stance, the manufacturer is developing a new CRDI Diesel engine which will power the company’s future products, due to be launched in short while from now.
This is all concerned with the rapid boom in the diesel segment that is expected to hold as much as 50 % of the total car market share in the coming 4-5 years. The company is also in association with Mitsubishi and sells its products also but the ones to be affected are from the stable Hindustan Motors’ stable only.
Mitsubishi products like the Mitsubishi Montero, Mitsubishi Pajero etc., have done a considerable job in terms of sales but HM’s commercial vehicle line-up has been badly hit which it focuses on reviving through a chain of new launches in the coming months. The engine is developed in collaboration with an unnamed European specialist and the following products are expected to equip the engine:
A 0.8 Ton Mini Pick upA commercial 7-9 passenger MPV based on Ambassador platformA passenger light commercial vehicle based on the Winner LCV andA cargo carrier based on the Hindustan Winner LCI wish the new strategy and engine to help the brand grab its share back in the market and also the Ambassador to replenish its lost charm.
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Tags: Diesel Engine, Hindustan MotorsThis entry was posted on August 8, 2011 at 4:35 pm and is filed under Automobile News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.New Swift Expected to Overtake WagonR as Maruti’s Second Highest Selling Car
Maruti Suzuki saw low sales in July, aided further as the company halted production of the Swift. As the new Swift variant gets ready to launch in August, the sale are expected to increase further. In fact, the new Swift variant is expected to replace WagonR as the industry and Maruti’s highest selling car following the Alto, which sells 18,000 units per month.
In this fiscal year, the Alto has managed to sell 34,000 units per month, compared to July when it had decreased to 25,000 per month. The Alto is followed by WagonR with 14,000 sales per month. The two cars are not only the company’s highest selling cars, but also the highest selling cars in the auto industry. They are followed by Hyundai i10 that has been selling around 10,000 units per month this fiscal. The other competing brands include Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia, and Hyundai i20.
The company’s chief GM of marketing, Shashank Srivastava, was quoted as saying that till the past few months, excluding July when they halted production, the Swift sold 12,000 units per month. They are now increasing the production capacity for the Swift at their facility in Manesar to produce 18,000 units per month by shifting production of the DZiRE sedan to their plant in Gurgaon. This will increase further when their second facility in Manesar comes up around Sept to Oct.
When the Swift was launched back in 2005, the car was credited for creating the segment of premium hatchbacks, a segment in which it has led since launch. It also transformed the company’s image to a sporty and youthful one. The company has already made an investment of INR 550 crores for the domestic models development. It has also outlined a further INR 17 to 18 crores for communication and marketing.
While most of the bookings have been for the diesel variant, many have also upgraded bookings over the outgoing model. During the car’s launch in 2005, the initial monthly sales of the car were 3,500 units, which increased to 10,000 units per month by the fiscal year 2009-10. Srivastava also added that the new Swift would have a three month wait period. The car has commanded a wait period ever since it was launched six years ago.
Fiat Lounge And Cafes In India To Boost Brand Fiat and Its Sales
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It is quite strange how automobile manufacturers, alongside their production work are looking into other aspects which may make their survival in the very challenging Indian automobile market, easier. One of the best strategies to be followed is Marketing and Fiat has recently gone a leap further after announcing that it would open cafes and lounges in collaboration with Lavazza.
The only prominent reason behind this unconventional strategy is the dropping sales. In the month of July Fiat managed to sell 925 and 175 units of Fiat Grande Punto and Fiat Linea respectively, which is way behind the figures being achieved by Maruti Suzuki, Tata and other leading manufacturers.
Though the small car Punto and sedan Linea are quite good but for some reason these vehicles are not able to draw the attention of aspiring buyers in the under ten lakh segment.
To start with the hope of building a new brand the company will open its first chain of cafes in Delhi and Pune. The products from Fiat will be on display along with artworks and a nice Italian cuisine to bring the Italian-ness out through these cafes and lounges. Besides these, movies and theatre will also be a feature of this new chain.
Fiat India vice president, Commercial Vehicles, Ravi Bhatia said, “The idea is to bring out the Italian-ness of Fiat while introducing the style and technology to consumers,”
Mercedes-Benz is also going over a similar sort of strategy and is expected to come up with a chain of lounges across the country soon. Ford has succeeded in such a strategy before, when in launched the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Lounges named after Fiesta as Fiesta Cafe were set up across the country at various locations to give an experience of the Fiesta to customers and visitors before they head out to actually buy one.
We do wish for the brand to pick up the lagging sales and also see a profitable future.
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Tags: FiatThis entry was posted on August 8, 2011 at 3:55 pm and is filed under Automobile News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Best driver’s car in each and every segment – Part 4
The best driver’s car now applies to the Rs 6-8 lakhs mark and also the Rs 8-12 lakhs and this is what we supposedly have got in this segment. While there are many cars which would have loved to take on the Volkswagen Vento or rather are still trying to take it down, there is a ray of hope with the fact that more and more manufacturers are coming out in this segment with their new products. The Vento diesel is not only the quickest car in its segment but it also has got a good top end speed. The best part is that there is not much of turbo lag either. 0-100 kmph for the Vento diesel takes only 10.5 seconds while the Hyundai Verna trails behind by just .1 seconds for the 0-100 kmph dash. Unlike most cars in this price bracket which consider overtaking or accelerating through gears as a chore and kick in reluctantly, the Vento diesel has got effortless performance on tap. In the twisties and ghat sections, the Vento diesel is a hoot to drive and the gearbox also perfectly complements this car with sporty shifts.
Another VW takes the second spot and this is the Polo 1.6 petrol. The stability in a straight line as also the steering response of the Polo are better than its closest competitor, the Hyundai i20 diesel. 11.2 seconds is what it takes the Polo to go from 0-100 while the diesel i20 reaches the same mark in 12.6 seconds. Also in the corners, the Polo proves to be the better car with minimal body roll. However, when it comes to braking, the i20 outshines the Polo and also the Vento. The brake modulation on this Hyundai is very good and harder braking is taken easily by the car. The Polo however, loses out on the fact that fuel efficiency is not so good in this car and also the fact that it is not so environment friendly as compared with the i20. The Polo, however, comes with a more sporty gearbox and this complements the drive experience perfectly.
Polo’s stablemate, the Fabia also has all the attributes of the Polo plus a tighter bodyline. It is much more easy to maneuver than the Polo also. The Maruti SX4 petrol is also a good option in this price bracket with its large ground clearance and more than willing chassis. It is quick off the line and has respectable top speed to boot for. The bottom of our analysis table, however, is filled with SUVs. Given their penchant for weight, suspension characteristics and also size, dynamics is usually the last thing on their list of things to do. The Sumo Grande is the one which comes in the last place here. It has got the least dynamically astute body frame here. For the SUVs, it is the Mahindra Scorpio which has got a good power train and also some better dynamics than the Safari. Amongst people movers, it is another Mahindra which wins and it is the Xylo. It even out battles the Safari here.
The best driver’s car in this category which comes in the Rs 8-12 lakhs would be the Toyota Corolla Altis. The steering wheel may not have a very linear feel but it is a very easy to live with car and also has a god ride quality to boot for. Superb acceleration is provided for by the 1.8 liter motor and the top speed is close to 190 kmph. The quickest car in this category, however, is the Honda City. It has an engine which loves to be revved and can basically take some amount of abuse. It is matched with a smooth shifting gearbox as well. Top speed is also in the region of 190 kmph. The City also has got driveability on its side and this is where the Altis loses out as the 1.8 liter engine is not too driveable. There are not too many choices in here but the best MUV would obviously be the Toyota Innova. It has got the dynamics of a car and were it not for its size, would have been the best handling MUV ever built. Its dynamics are unlike any Toyota that can be found in India. Acceleration may not be that great but it definitely is at par with what MUVs should offer. However, were it not for the obvious bulk, it would have scored more under the maneuverability thing.
2011 Yamaha R15 New Model Pictures Revealed On Facebook– Launch Expected Soon
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Yamaha has been keeping the new 2011 Yamaha R15 under the covers until the launch (which is likely to happen soon). There have been many test mules spotted on the road under camouflage and covers. There have been numerous spy pictures from various sources is past few months. This time, a close up from the rear near the tail pipe has been shared on the Facebook by a fan “Ramakrishnan”. The exhaust muffler of the new R15 clearly shows a R15 badge of copper-golden colour attached to the side of the exhaust.
Some of the highlights of the new model of R15 include: Improved StylingNew Design Alloy WheelsNew rear design with tyre huggerR15 Badge on ExhaustImproved FaringWider TyresOther cosmetic upliftsEngine tuning improvements
The new Yamaha R15 is expected to be officially launched in year 2011 only. The launch is most likely to be schedules around the festival season in October 2011, this is our speculation on the basis that if Yamaha wants to launch a new product, two most important periods can be:
Festival Season around Diwali (October 2011)Auto Expo 2012 in January 2012Since this bike is almost ready and testing is on, we expect to see the launch near the festival season, however there is no official announcement on expected launch period. We are keeping a watch on it and will update you as soon as a confirmation arrives. For latest updates, you can like our official Facebook Page and sign up for official free email newsletter.
image credit – Facebook
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Tags: new-launch, yamaha, Yamaha R15This entry was posted on August 8, 2011 at 2:50 pm and is filed under Automobile News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Tata Aiming for High Sales of recently launched Aria 4×2 Crossover
One of India’s leading auto companies, Tata Motors announced that they are planning to sell high numbers of their recently launched Aria 4×2 crossover in upcoming months, with the increasing demand for the vehicle.
The company’s VP of commercial car passenger business, R. Ramakrishnan was quoted as saying that they expect to sell high numbers of Aria models in the upcoming months. This vehicle is suited for driving around the city in luxury.
The company first showcased the Aria 4×4 in Oct 2010. This vehicle was built on a whole new platform for which they invested around INR 1,000 crores. Following the launch of this 4×4 model, the company has managed to sell around 2,000 units so far.
Ramakrishnan added that the Aria 4×2 crossover is available in 3 different variants to choose from, featuring the Pure, the Pleasure and the Prestige. He said that the Pure variant was a new entry in the 4×2 variant. The Prestige is a high end Aria 4×4 variant. The Prestige variant will have as many as 16 features in comparison to the Pure.
The regional manager of the company for the southern states of Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, K. Vijay Menon, was quoted as saying that the Aria base model is compliant with BSIII norms and is available for INR 11.57 lakhs, according to ex-showroom prices in Chennai, whereas the high end variant is complaint with BSIV norms and is priced around INR 14.47 lakhs, according to ex-showroom prices in Chennai.
Tata Aria 4×2 in India test drive
Tata’s most adventurous project has got to be that of the Tata Aria. Years of permutations and combination have resulted in this vehicle from the Indian manufacturer. It was also the most luxurious and also the most expensive car built by the manufacturer, i.e. if you discount the Jaguars which are now part of the Tata stables. Tata Motors never wanted to have a good sales figure with this car or dare they think so that they would be able to achieve it. Since October 2010, this car has been around and not too many can be seen on the roads. It has got to be with the expensive thing going around for this car. Somehow an expensive Tata or a Maruti for that matter doesn’t seem worth the money. So in comes the 4×2 variant of the Tata Aria, which was launched just a few days back. We got one for a test drive and here are the few pointers about how it behaves and stuff. Of course the looks and all have been discussed extensively here. So for the Tata Aria 4×2 in India test drive, only the major changes have been discussed as also the fuel economy which needless to say is the highlight of any new car coming to the country. The Tata Aria road test would definitely help in the other aspects.
To begin with, this new 4×2 variant would be available only in Pure, Prestige and also the Pleasure variants. We could see people around appreciating the styling which looks futuristic and needless to say, the Aria has loads of road presence to boot for its stance. The Tata PR person told us that in the process of losing its 4×4 creds, the Aria has become 200 kgs lighter now. Look wise, its very hard to differentiate the Aria siblings. Both the lower end variants namely the Pure and Pleasure get only 16 inch steel wheels which seem Sumo Grande derived. The base Pure variant also doesn’t get any fog lamps but does have a slot for them. The shocking thing is that to reduce the price, Tata have even removed the engine cover and under the hood, the engine does feel sort of naked. The Pure variant is the basically entry level stripped down thing with a 4×2 configuration. Over to the rear, the 4 wheel drive signaling Adapterra badge has been chucked off, though no 2WD badge replaces it.
Inside, the Aria now gets beige interiors which replace the earlier darker ones in the 4×4 variants. The good thing is that the electrically operated ORVMs are there and they also retain the heating function. Apart from that, the base variant gets an AUX and USB compatible music system which has got 6 speakers, discs on all the 4 wheels and also EBD and ABS. At the other end of things, on the top end variant, there is a passenger and driver airbag, alloy wheels of the 17 inch types, fog lamps in the front and rear, chilled glove box, climate control, steering mounted controls with the Bluetooth system inbuilt and also a reverse parking sensor system. Leather seats are also there. For the base variant, Tata Motors have offered upholstery draped in beige color. Well, this one makes the Aria look more spacious than it already is. The cheap looking fake wood insert is present on the dash of all the 4×2 Arias and while the Pure gets its dashboard done in beige, the top end Pleasure has got it all in black. Why even the steering wheel in the Pure is beige in color minus the steering mounted controls. In a bid to keep costs down, Tata have definitely compromised on some of the luxury features like the arm rests for the front and rear passengers in its base variant.
The Tata Aria 4×2 in India is very quick off the block and as far as we remember, better than its 4×4 sister. The weight reduction of 200 kgs definitely shows here. The way the front axle no longer aids in moving this car forward helps with the steering wheel as well. It no longer feels heavy and instead feels lighter at parking speeds. Like, we had noted earlier, the body roll is something which Tata had worked upon from the very first car and this means taking quick corners is not a task like in the Grande and Safari. The ride quality is also A rate and we suspect that it has to do with the 16 inchers than the bigger profile tyres present in the 4×4 variant (17 inch). The highway speeds however, do tend to time and again unsettle this car. It is the rear most seated passengers who will feel it more than the driver and his co-passenger. NVH has been taken care of and the 140 Bhp motor has got enough insulation under the hood to take things in its stride. Turbo lag was definitely there but with the less weight to haul around, the car did feel very nimble and agile. Some vibrations did creep in via the gear lever and they are more noticeable if one has the habit of keeping a hand on the gear lever while driving. Above speeds of 110, the wind noise becomes all too apparent. Just for the geek buffs, Lotus engineering fine tuned the suspension characteristics of the Aria 2WD.
As always, Tata quality levels are nothing to speak about, though, compared to its own stablemates, the Aria does have a good build quality. Some inconsistent panel gaps were an eyesore though. The Arai claimed fuel efficiency of this car is 13.7 kmpl and this is an increase of 0.2 kmpl from that of the AWD Aria. Not significant enough, however during the regular trundling around in the city, we did notice the MID showing a fuel efficiency of 11 kmpl. This is definitely good considering the weight and dimensions of the Aria. Brakes as usual were fantastic but the long travel definitely takes away some of the fabulous experience with this car.
So, while the entire car is a big development over any current Tata product, comparisons with its own 4×4 variant are inevitable. Here, there is not much of development as far as the panel gaps are concerned and stuff. The big thing is the change in the price. The Tata Aria 4×2 price in India starts from Rs 11.61 lakhs and goes upto Rs 14.26 lakhs. All these prices are ex-show room, Delhi. At this prices, it treads on its own sibling the Safari 4×4 and also to some extent the Scorpio automatic and the Innova V variant.
For more information about the 4×4 Aria and also its comparison with the others of its ilk, do check the following links for some quick pointers.
2011 Tata Aria in India
Comparison between Tata Aria and Toyota Innova
Tata Aria review
Skoda Yeti vs Tata Aria – Rs 15 lakhs duel
Exclusive Car Deals From Indian DrivesVolkswagen Jetta With Rs.75,000 Price Discount To Clear Stocks
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August is the month of launches with a number of important cars lined-up to be unveiled in front of the masses. Volkswagen has also confirmed the launch date of its all new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta which is 17th of August. But since the 2011 Jetta is supposed to replace the current model, the company is offering a price discount of Rs. 75,000 to clear the existing stock.
The cash discount of upto 75 k is quite inviting but it would be difficult to clear a huge number of units from the stock as people who want to buy a Jetta will definitely be waiting for the newer model.
The car is priced close to Rs. 14 Lakh and even if we deduct the discount money, the car still does not come any cheaper. Moreover no one would like to spend such an appreciable amount on an outdated model when the new 2011 Jetta is just around the corner.
The company has also started offering Volkswagen Phaeton with a humongous price discount of Rs. 25 Lakh which was a very surprising step as such a huge discount is equivalent to the price of a super luxury sedan in India.
I can only conclude that despite taking a good step by offering an appreciable cash discount the buyers will wait for the new Jetta as it is lot more loaded in terms of features and looks better, making it a worthy competitor in the market.
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Tags: volkswagen, volkswagen jettaThis entry was posted on August 9, 2011 at 4:11 pm and is filed under Automobile News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Porsche to Develop New Mid-Engined Car Positioned between the 918 and 911 Models
German luxury car manufacturer Porsche recently confirmed their plans of launching a mid engined new supercar positioned between their quickest 911 car and the soon to launch super hybrid 918 Spyder car.
The company is considering an alternative to their soon to launch 918 Spyder, which is a limited edition car. The new car from Porsche is likely to utilise Modular Sports Architecture that is being developed by Porsche, Audi and Lamborghini, which are all a part of the Volkswagen Group.
For outdoing their high end 911 models as well as for competing with Ferrari 458, this new mid engined car will have to deliver a performance of 400kW and above as well as have a 0-100kmph mileage under four seconds with a top speed of more than 320kmph. While the 918 car will rely on a hybrid system that was previewed in the car’s concept form. This new supercar is likely to avoid next gen technology in favour of traditional technology to make it more affordable.
Volvo C30 electric’s production started
Volvo’s much acclaimed electric hatchback, the C30 electric has been put through the production lineup. As early as 2010, there were many prototypes which were put through the testing phase all across Sweden. Ghent in Sweden is the place where these cars would be exclusively built for the time being. The batteries and also installation of components including the electric motor would be completed in Volvo’s Goteborg facility. This electric hatch can be recharged from a regular household power socket with a full recharge taking 7 hours while a power charge taking only half an hour with an extender.
The driving range for this car would be approximately 150 kms and this hatch is as big as the Honda Jazz. It does 0-100 kmph in an unbelievable 5 seconds. Whether this hatch would make it to India or not is any one’s guess. Do check this link for a jumpstart on some other electric cars (Preview of some electric cars coming our way in the future)
Piaggio To Increase Production Of Vespa Scooters In India
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Piaggio is all set to launch the Vespa scooters in India which are highly anticipated for quite some time now. But apart from this very anticipated step that it will take in the coming months, the brand has also announced of increasing the scooter production capacity of its plants, making it capable of meeting the demands of the two wheeler segment.
The two wheeler segment in India is way more consuming than the car’s segment and assuming that the products from Vespa are good enough, the brand is all set to increase the number of units to be produced annually.
Ravi Chopra, chairman and managing director, Piaggio Vehicles India Pvt Ltd, said,“We see a tremendous opportunity for a range of scooters since this a market which is growing. So, we will double our scooter production capacities from 1.5 lakh annually, which is for the Vespa, to 3 lakh per annum by the first half of 2013 to produce this range of scooters,”
The company is also working on a new passenger variant of the successful commercial vehicle, Piaggio Ape and talking on the same Ravi Copra added, “We are developing a passenger variant for the Ape Mini Truck, currently operating as a small commercial vehicle which will come into the market by the end of this year. This is targeted at the low cost transportation segment and is not expected to eat into our three-wheeler passenger carrier market,”
Returning to the subject of Vespa scooters, the chairman said that the plant will become operational by December 2011. The first showcase of the scooters will be done at the 2012 Auto Expo and sales will begin by the end of first quarter.
With the current investment of Euro 30 million, the plant can produce 1.5 Lakh units annually which it expects to double by the first half of 2013.
check out more-
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Tags: Piaggio, VespaThis entry was posted on August 9, 2011 at 9:00 am and is filed under Automobile News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.M&M Posts 7.56% Net Profit Growth in Q1 at INR 604 crore
Utility manufacturer, Mahindra & Mahindra recently posted a growth of 7.56% in their net profits for the June 30 ended quarter, with a standalone net profit of IRN 604.88 crores, boosted by good measures for expenditure control and good sales.
In the same period in 2010, the company had posted net profit as INR 562.39 crores. The total standalone income reportedly increased to INR 6,733.54 crore in Q1 of this fiscal, a growth of 30.49%. This is in comparison to last year during the same period, when it posted a total income of INR 5,160.10 crores. According to M&M, the growth in the company’s profit in spite of increasing cost of materials was due to good performance volumes by tractors and vehicles as well as the company keeping tight control on expenditure.
The total sales of the company in this quarter reportedly increased to 1,01,997 units, in comparison to the year ago period when it sold 82,093 units, an increase of 24.25%. Domestic market sales were around 96,280 units, an increase of 22.93% over last year’s 78,318 units. Meanwhile, the exports of the company increased to 5,717 units, a jump of 82.94% over last fiscals Q1 exports of 3,125 units.
The company also saw sales of its passenger vehicles rise by 20% in the period of April to June to 48,214 units, in comparison to last year’s Q1 passenger vehicle sales of 40,178 units. The tractor sales of the company also increased in Q1 to 20% this fiscal year to 57,500 units, from the same quarter last year, when it sold around 47,916 tractors.
M&M was also stated as saying that with inflation being at 95 since the last year, RBI had tightened their policy stance in the last few months, causing a rapid increase in loan rates, thereby adversely affecting the industrial growth and demand in the domestic market. However, with the prospects for the service and agricultural sector remaining strong, the business outlook of the company for this fiscal is positive, however, watchful.
Tata Nano Cash Discount Worth Rs. 20,000 On LX And CX, Rs. 15,000 On Standard
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After a pretty long while we have heard something regarding Tata Nano. The company is offering a price discount of Rs. 20,000 on Nano LX and Nano CX while it offers Rs. 15,000 discount on the Nano standard. As the festive season is about to commence, companies have started planning discount schemes on their cars, but Tata is not offering this discount because of the festive season.
Sales is the main factor that led Tata to adopt this price cut strategy. With the commencement of the year 2011 the sales of Nano were on the seventh sky with reported 10,012 units sold in the first quarter. With the starting of the second quarter the sales started to drop and reached 6515 units by the end of it. In July sales drastically dropped and only 260 units were sold.
R Ramakrishnan, Vice-President, passenger car business unit was quoted as saying, ”We are still at the early stages of understanding the market. We are going through a learning curve and are trying a lot of different things in marketing activities, like selling the car through Big Bazaar outlets,”
The Nano did not prove itself as reliable as it was expected and beside those couple of fire accident reported in the past, the car made people face a couple of other problems also. I think the discount is placed for a short while so that the company recovers the lost sales pace and it might remove the discount soon.
Tata Nano StandardPrevious Price : Rs. 1.74 lakhPrice After Discount : Rs. 1.59 lakh (Rs. 15,000 off)Tata Nano CXPrevious Price : Rs. 2.06 lakhPrice After Discount : Rs. 1.86 lakh (Rs. 20,000 off)Tata Nano LXPrevious Price : Rs. 2.36 lakhPrice After Discount : Rs. 2.16 lakh (Rs. 20,000 off) window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({appId: "111290745591278", status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true});}; (function() { var e = document.createElement("script"); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js"; document.getElementById("fb-root").appendChild(e);}());You can follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook Fan Page. You can post any queries and discuss about cars, bikes and automobile technologies at CarBlogIndia Automobile Forum.
Tags: price-change, tata, tata-nanoThis entry was posted on August 9, 2011 at 4:45 pm and is filed under Automobile News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Hindustan Motors Aims for 5-fold Rise in Sales Volume by FY13-14
Hindustan Motors recently announced that they are aiming for a five fold rise in sales of vehicles to around 50,000 units by 2013-14 that would help HM to turnaround.
The MD of the company, Manoj Jha, said that they are expecting an increase in sales following their recent new launches. By the fiscal year 2013-14 they hope to sell around 50,000 units. The company had managed to sell around 10,000 units in the previous fiscal year.
He further added that their main focus is on the segment of commercial vehicles that is around 80:20. In a few years time this will increase to 50:50. Currently, Hindustan Motors has around three plants in India. One of the plants is located in West Bengal at Uttarpara, the second near Chennai in Tiruvallur, and the third in Madhya Pradesh at Pithampur.
According to Jha, the company expects to launch around five vehicles in the current financial year. Just yesterday, the company launched the VEER small commercial vehicle. The company will proceed to launch four other vehicles from both its Chennai and Uttarpara plants.
Other than 2 commercial vehicles, which the company will launch next, during Q3, they will launch the Outlander seven seater vehicle from their plant in Chennai. They are also working on a brand new SUV in this facility. The SUV is expected to launch sometime next year in January.
All new Mercedes SLK to be launched in India tomorrow
Come tomorrow and India’s number one luxury car manufacturer Mercedes are all set to launch their much acclaimed Mercedes SLK in the country. Globally, the car was revealed to the car buying public, accompanying the 125th anniversary celebrations of its manufacturer. This happened in January 2011 and 7 months down the line, the new car hits the Indian shores. While the older model boasted of a hard top which used to fold, the newer one would have a fabric roof, one which would be a heavily reworked iteration of the former. The manufacturer’s much controversial variable tint glass with electromagnetic particles in it as also the fixed tint and the standard aluminium panels would be available for grabs.
In the interiors, the influence from the Mercedes SLS is quite evident as also the dashboard which has been set at an angle which favors the driver. A whole new array of trims is also on offer, for decking up the interiors of the car according to personal preferences. Competition would be in the form of the highly successful BMW Z4 as also the Audi TT and the Porsche Cayman Boxster. A 3.5 liter engine featuring direct injection technology will pump in 306 Bhp and a 7 speed auto box would direct the power to the rear wheels. This engine will be a V6 engine and like all the new models offered by Mercedes in India, would have better fuel economy, improved performance as also lower emissions. Estimated prices for the Mercedes SLK is Rs 65 lakhs.
Additional services offered by BMW India
BMW India in a bid to have a close bond with their existing customers are offering a special Advanced Secure Services Program. It is applicable for 2 years from the date of purchase. This new facility would cover many free services including the likes of a service backup, taxi arrangement for vehicle immobilization, discharged battery services, towing services, additional fuel supply and also flat tyre services.
In addition to all this, BMW is also offering accommodation services, 24×7 medical services, pickup and delivery of additional spare key and the best part is that for new or existing BMW owners, this service would be available in all parts of India and at any time. However, after the first two years of this service are completed, owners would have to renew these services at an additional cost, that is if they want to continue with this service.
A dedicated call center for the same has been setup by BMW and it is a centralized one and the number for the same is 1800-103-2211. This small step by the company would definitely go a long way in establishing a good customer bond and build the trust that the company needs to demolish its competition with.
2011 Honda Element
An SUV possesses an allure than a sedan can never have, at least not on the same level: space. However, SUV’s are notorious for guzzling fuel. Add to that the difficulty of maneuvering through small streets and turning tight corners, and the all-too-important problem of parking. Not to mention, SUV’s aren’t exactly politically correct in an era where not having a clue about your carbon emission is akin to being un-patriotic. And SUV’s aren’t exactly the cheapest in the market.
The solution? Try compact SUV’s. The roominess, durability, and utility are all present in the tried-and-true compact SUV, the 2011 Honda Element.
The Element is the pickup truck-cum-SUV of today; the haul-friendly, roomy-yet-compact, mule of a compact crossover. Boasting a lot of room and versatile interior seating and storage, the 2011 is slated to be the final Element before the model is discontinued by Honda. Boasting a unique look that has become a classic (as well as a favorite for imitators), the Element has a tradition of reliability, roominess, and comfort. A stellar performer when it comes to safety—it was given the highest possible score for safety in 2010— the distinctive Honda Element is off to a gracious bow with a myriad of all-too-familiar nifty features.
Engine and Performance
The 2011 Element runs on a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 2.4 liters, boasting 166 hp and 161 lb-ft of torque through a standard 5-speed automatic transmission. Standard trim offers two-wheel drive, while the EX and LX upgrades net you a four-wheel drive.
At a 20 mpg/25 mpg city/highway fuel efficiency rating, the Element’s fuel economy is less than stellar, especially when compared to similar vehicles. The EX and LX options have worse fuel economy ratings.
Interior
While the removable back seats offer versatile carrying and hauling needs, that the Element only seats four makes it a bottom-feeder in the field of compact crossovers. Entry into the rear seats is also a chore, with the front door needing to be opened before the rear half-doors can be accessed. This one glaring weakness is hard to overlook, but the theater-style seating set-up of the 2011 Element offers each passenger more than ample leg and elbow room.
The removable backseat allows you to free up an extra 75 cubic feet of storage, which is one huge selling point of the 2011 Element. The EX upgrade comes with a dog-friendly package of kennel, pet bed, and other features.
Safety and Reliability
The 2010 Element garnered a perfect score for front and side impact protection, given by the Insurance Institute for Higher Safety. While the 2011 has not been subjected to similar tests, it can be easy to imagine it having similar impact protection upside.
Standard safety features include stability assist, antilock disc brakes, traction assist, active head restraints, and front side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags.
Competition
A scaled-down, more-affordable cousin of the 2011 Element is the Kia Soul (MSRP $13,300; 26 city / 31 hwy). The Soul features more comfy seats. Although the Soul does not come with all-wheel drive, it should not be a drawback for consumers in milder climes and less-rugged terrain.
Another more-affordable option is the Subaru Forester (MSRP $15,096; 20 city / 27 hwy), which also offers versatile and practical interior seating and storage. The Forester also gets better gas mileage, with an all-wheel drive upgrade the Kia Soul does not have.
Pros
Roomy cabin with versatile seating and storage features, EX upgrade features dog-friendly package, removable backseat frees up more space, boasts a clean and quirky design.
Cons
Seats four, rear half-doors make entry a chore, acceleration is sluggish, fuel economy is less than stellar.
Overall Rating
64 out of 100
What others say:
"If you need to haul stuff more than people, and don't want to part with maneuverability and fuel-efficiency, the 2011 Honda Element is a great choice."Car Connection
"Comfort depends on where you sit. Rear occupants nestle between the wheels and thus endure marked chop and thump over bumps. Front-seaters are more comfortable, but the ride still can be stiff and jiggly on patchy pavement and washboard surfaces."Consumer Guide
"Seats only four; rear half-doors impede rear ingress and egress; unimpressive acceleration and fuel economy."Edmunds
"If you enjoy the benefits of a sport utility (some sport, some utility) then you'll enjoy the ownership experience of an Element…"KBB
General InfoFuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gallonsMiles Per Gallon: 20 city / 25 hwyDimensionsCurb Weight: 3515 lbs (1594 kg)Wheel Base: 101.4 in. (257.5 cm)Ground Clearance: 6.9 in. (17.5 cm)PerformanceEngine: 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® inline 4-Cylinder Transmission: 5-Speed AutomaticTowing Capacity: 1500 lbs (680 kgs)Available Trims & EngineMSRP: $22,075; MPG: 19 city / 24 hwyMSRP: $22,935; MPG: 20 city / 25 hwyMSRP: $24,185; MPG: 19 city / 24 hwy
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